Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Attribute control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-08
2001-07-10
Lee, Thomas D. (Department: 2724)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Attribute control
C382S261000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259537
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing method which optically reads an image recorded onto a photographic film which has been developed by dry development and determines an image processing parameter for generating a digital image data.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, graininess in a photographic print is primarily caused by exposure at the time of photographing and is influenced by underexposure or overexposure of the photographic print. The greater the underexposure at the time of photographing, the more conspicuous the graininess.
The graininess is secondarily caused by enlargement ratio at the time of printing. The larger the enlargement ratio at the time of printing, the more conspicuous the graininess.
Further, the graininess is thirdly caused by ISO sensitivity. In a current photographic film, the higher the ISO sensitivity, the more grainy and more conspicuous the graininess.
It is preferable that the above-described image processing parameter be determined in accordance with the respective contribution ratios of the causes.
Sharpness emphasizing degree, reproduction of contrast in an image of an underexposed photographic film, or the like as an image processing parameter has a trade-off relationship to granularity. Accordingly, it is particularly important to set an optimal image processing parameter. Among the above causes, the first cause, i.e., exposure at the time of photographing, can be determined by the density of the photographic film. The second cause, i.e., enlargement ratio of a print, is carried out by the designation of an operator and can be naturally recognized by a photographic processing apparatus.
On the contrary, in the third cause, i.e., ISO sensitivity, a new sensor which reads a DX code recorded on a photographic film must be provided. Accordingly, the number of parts for the apparatus is increased and the device becomes large and complicated.
Silver image remains in particular in a photographic film which is processed by dry development, and the graininess of the silver image is added thereto. Consequently, unless the optimal image processing parameter is set, the degree of influence due to the graininess of the silver image increases. Further, in order to reproduce color saturation, the graininess of the photographic film subjected to dry development deteriorates more than that of a photographic film subjected to wet development.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the aforementioned in view, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of and an apparatus for processing an image in which ISO sensitivity or information which has correlation with the ISO sensitivity is recognized without using an extra detecting device, and in which an optimal image processing parameter in a photographic film which is subjected to dry development can be obtained.
In order to achieve the above-described object, a first aspect of the present invention is an image processing method, comprising the steps of: picking up an image recorded onto a developed photographic film and generating a digital image data; determining at least one of a graininess parameter for reducing graininess and a sharpness parameter for determining sharpness emphasizing degree on the basis of any of the sensitivity of the photographic film and the film size of the photographic film; and effecting image processing of the digital image data by using at least one of the determined graininess parameter and sharpness parameter.
In accordance with the first aspect, at least one of the graininess parameter for reducing graininess and the sharpness parameter for determining sharpness emphasizing degree is determined on the basis of any of the sensitivity of the photographic film and the film size of the photographic film.
A gain M, which is multiplied by an intermediate frequency component of a luminance component, can be used as the graininess parameter. A gain H, which is multiplied by a high frequency component of the luminance component, can be used as the sharpness parameter.
Because an image processing parameter which includes the graininess parameter and the sharpness parameter relates to the sensitivity of the photographic film, the graininess parameter and the sharpness parameter can be determined on the basis of the sensitivity of the photographic film.
Further, in a current photographic film, there is a correlation between the size thereof and standard ISO sensitivity.
More specifically, the standard sensitivity of a Brownie-size film is ISO 160, the standard sensitivity of a 135-size film is ISO 400, and the standard sensitivity of an APS (advanced photo system)-size film is ISO 200, and the like.
Since, for example, negative carriers themselves are manufactured in different ways or, even if the negative carriers are manufactured in the same way, the guide width of the film is set so as to correspond to the film size, the size of the photographic film is known beforehand. Even if a special detecting device is not used in a printer, the information on the size of the photographic film is easily available.
Thus, in the first aspect of the present invention, in a case in which the image processing parameter based on the ISO sensitivity is set, the information on the size of the photographic film is extracted, the ISO sensitivity is specified from the information on the size of the photographic film, and the image processing parameter is determined.
As a result, the optimal image processing parameter for graininess and the optimal image processing parameter for sharpness emphasizing degree, which has a trade-off relationship with the graininess, can be set respectively.
Because the graininess of the image recorded onto the photographic film which has been developed by dry development is deteriorated due to the remaining of a silver image, the present invention is suitable for image processing of the image recorded onto the photographic film which has been developed by dry development.
In the first aspect, the relationship between any of the sensitivity of the photographic film and the film size of the photographic film and at least one of the graininess parameter and the sharpness parameter is determined in advance. Accordingly, at least one of the graininess parameter and the sharpness parameter which corresponds to any of the sensitivity of the photographic film and the film size of the photographic film can be determined.
Further, image quality reduction degree due to graininess is determined on the basis of the sensitivity of the photographic film and the film size of the photographic film, and the graininess parameter and the sharpness parameter can be determined on the basis of the result of determination.
Moreover, the exposed state of the image recorded onto the photographic film and the print size which is printed based on the digital image data relate to the graininess and the sharpness emphasizing degree. Thus, the image quality reduction degree due to graininess is determined in further consideration of the exposed state of the image and the print size, and the graininess parameter and the sharpness parameter may be determined on the basis of the result of determination. In this case, if the sensitivity of the photographic film is high, if the image recorded onto the photographic film is underexposed, and if the print size is large, the graininess of the reproduced image becomes high. Consequently, it is preferable that the graininess parameter be set small. Further, if the film size is small, the sharpness of the reproduced image deteriorates. Accordingly, it is preferable that the sharpness parameter be determined so that the sharpness emphasizing degree becomes strong.
The graininess or the sharpness emphasizing degree may be determined in accordance with the user's or customer's preference. In this case, the image quality reduction degree due to graininess is determined on the basis of information to which a data representing the sharpness emphasizing degree is further added
Brinich Stephen
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Lee Thomas D.
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
LandOfFree
Image processing method and image processing apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Image processing method and image processing apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Image processing method and image processing apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2437204